High-profile USPCA boss defrauded the animal charity for seven years
Accused admits guilt just as his trial is about to begin
THE former head of the USPCA pleaded guilty yesterday to using his position as chief executive of the animal charity to defraud the organisation over a seven-year period.
The admission by Stephen Philpott (55), from Ashgrove Road in Newry, came as he was about to go on trial in the city before a Crown Court jury of seven women and five men who had been sworn in earlier.
Philpott had faced a total of three charges, but following an adjournment before the start of his trial, defence QC James Gallagher asked for his client to be rearraigned on the third count of the indictment.
This stated that Philpott had obtained rental payments but “failed to account for the said payments and failed to bring notice of the said payments to the attention of the USPCA” between January 2007 and November 2014.
Subsequently, Philpott had intentionally “by means of the abuse of that position to make a gain for yourself or another or to cause loss to the USPCA or to expose the USPCA to a risk of a loss”. Prosecution QC Liam McCollum said in light of the guilty plea, counts one and two accusing Philpott of stealing from the animal charity and attempting to cause criminal damage to a residential property and its contents should “remain on the books, not to be proceeded with, without leave of the court or Court of Appeal”.
No details concerning Philpott’s fraud were given to the court during the shortened hearing. Judge Gordon Kerr QC released Philpott on continuing bail until December, during which time a pre-sentence and other reports, including the possibility of compensation preceedings, will be prepared. USPCA chairman Helen Wilson said: “On becoming aware of suspected financial irregularities, the USPCA board of trustees initiated an internal investigation and being satisfied that there was a case to answer, passed the information to the PSNI.” She said that Mr Philpott’s guilty plea justified the USPCA’s actions and thanked the investigating officer of the PSNI for his diligence.
Mrs Wilson said that the matters at the centre of the case were uncovered as a result of actions taken by the trustees to strengthen governance oversight within the charity.
She said: “It is with some sorrow more than anger that our concerns have proved to be justified.
“I can assure our members and the public generally that the charity has remained fully focused on its core charitable objectives of preventing cruelty and relieving suffering in animals.
“We look forward to a positive future under new leadership, making a vital contribution to advancing animal welfare in Northern Ireland.”